Since lionesses keep their decor when they pass away/are retired, is there a specific reason the same doesn't work for kings? It kinda bums me out that our dead kings lose so much of their appearance.

Aside from the obvious cosmetic differences, many players use the Lab Frog to roleplay as a trans lion or queen, which gets totally messed up after retirement/death. If retaining other decor isn't an option, I propose that deceased kings at least retain their Lab Frog and any additional pose attached (i e Good, Evil, Jolly, etc).