How much to give priest to say Rosary at a wake???

[jrnunzio3]

Hi all,
Need to fly to TX for an unexpected death in the family. We want to have a priest say the Rosary while we are there. How much $$ should we plan on giving him??? I will be paying for this and just wondered how much cash I should have on hand. Thanks for any advise.
Jenny

 

[dispor]

I am sorry for your loss. Unexpected losses can be especially painful.

I have never heard of paying a priest to lead the rosary. Usually, a donation is made for the Mass and the priest usually comes to the wake the day before. I couldn't even say what a "typical" donation would be for the Mass - maybe $100???

Is this an older person, or was it specifically requested that the rosary be said? I am just curious, because I haven't seen it done at any of the wakes I have been to for a very long time. If it is a Catholic funeral home, the funeral director might be willing to lead the rosary.

 

[minniecarousel]

We didn't have a Rosary for my Mom - just the Memorial Mass. Thankfully, the Counselor at my Church had the suggested amount for the Priest, what was expected for the pianist, the cantor and the Church. Nice and neat. Is there someone local who is handling the funeral? Is the Rosary being said at the Funeral Home or at the Church? I think the amounts expected are regional.

 

[Buckeye Princess]

My family always says the Rosary at funerals. We usually have a viewing all day one day, then a viewing in the morning before the mass. We say the rosary at the end of the day long viewing and in the morning before going to mass. Usually a member of the family leads the prayer so I'm sad to say I can't help with the donation portion.

 

[clh2]

Can you ask the director of the funeral home that is serving the family what is customary in that area?

 

[jrnunzio3]

Thank you for the responses. There is only going to be a "wake" for immediate family (that all have to fly in) and a few close friends. Some of the family want the rosary to be said and since we want it, we get to pay for it. There will not be a mass or a burial at that time, so we were just wondering what amount we should give them. The relatives in TX are taking care of all of the arrangements and the hiring of the priest for us, since we can't get a straight answer from them on any of the arrangements, they are of no help when it comes to the payment amount. Thank you all again.
Jenny

 

[Handbag Lady]

I think $100 donation is just fine.

My family is Catholic and we have the rosary at the wake the night before the service. At our last one, my aunt donated $100.

 

[buckler]

I googled it and found 2 different Catholic diocese websites that listed $100 as the minimum suggested donation for a priest at a funeral service.

 

[golfgal]

The funeral home will know exactly what your donation will be. They will have that in the paperwork for you. I think it was $150 for the church for my mom's funeral but we did a full Mass.