Dear NM, I really don’t see why you can say that. I do believe that my m-in-law’s church would have said masses for her, having become aware of her death and the fact that the funeral was there, etc. The other place had no way of knowing so there is no way a mass could be said other than her friend solicited them.
>>Dear NM, I really don’t see why you can say that.<<
I say it because it is true.
Your MIL’s church says a Holy Mass for all the Departed on All Soul’s Day, the year she died. Her parish also had her Funeral Mass. Those are Holy Masses said, free of charge.
Now, had your MIL’s friend walked into her parish and asked at the office to have a Holy Mass said, but did not want a card, your MIL would have had her name included on the intentions for a Holy Mass, free of charge. She wanted a card so she paid.
I think you are seeing this wrong. The “charge” is for the card and can also be a stipend for the Priest. It’s not required but is given in good taste, like a donation. There is not a set amount. I’ve paid for the cards saying “I paid for a mass to be said.” but it’s not for the “Holy Mass” itself. It’s a tip, if you will. I’ve ‘paid’ nothing or I’ve ‘paid’ a large amount. It’s up to each person.
This week in our parish is the Novena for the Poor Souls. There are 10.00 cards (really pretty ones) sold after every mass. Every day for nine days, the departed have a mass said for them. If you bought a card, you write the name on the inner card and it is given to the office. However, if you can’t afford the pretty greeting card or don’t have anyone living to give it to, you go into the office and free of charge, write the name of your loved one on a spare ‘inner card’ that will be included with all the other cards on the Altar. I’ve done it for both my parents who are gone. I didn’t spend a dime.