He died forty years ago and it is thought that hundreds of thousands of people died or disappeared during his 36-year-rule.
At least 16 Catholic churches in Spain were due to hold services in his honour, according to The Daily Telegraph, including the basilica at the Valley of the Fallen.
The basilica is where Franko, known to many as the Generalissimo, is buried in a tomb built by political prisoners.
The Association for the Recovery of Historical Memory, which campaigns for the exhumation of the more than 100,00 victims of fascist violence that are in mass graves, said this signifies "40 years without justice for the victims of Francosim."
Nieves Alvarez, recovered the remains of her grandfather and thanked the volunteers: "I'm indignant that churches are holding a mass for Franco.
"There are children and old people in great need, and the money spent on those services should be used for them."
Her grandfather was executed in one of Franco's prisons after the war.
The 61-year-old Christian described those who want to pay homage to him as "fanatics."
However some are in favour of the masses, Jamie Alonso, vice president of the Franciso Franco Foundation, will be praying for the Generalissimo at the Fallen basilica.
He claims Franco saved Spain from communism and says those that criticise the dictator owe the freedom to express their views to him: "Spain's democracy has many flaws but the biggest of them all is not accepting history as it occured.
"It was Franco who brought democracy, a democracy which is very stable and enjoys a high level of public participation."
A luxury international hotel group has also faced criticism for planning a tribute dinner to Franco in Madrid.
The event, organised by the Franco Foundation is expecting 500 people to mark his birthday in Decemeber.
A Spanish judge that tried to document Franco's crimes and offer justice - before he was overruled by the Supreme Court - presented a written demand to the government for Franco to be removed the from the Valley of the Fallen and told the state to say sorry to victims.
The rulings made in Franco's courts have never had their validity removed and officials from that era have not been tried for human rights abuses.