''I was a physical education teacher for nine years,'' he said, ''and I was actually going to go into the police force.''
He decided to give up teaching after returning from a three-year teaching stint in London.
''I didn't want to be one of those 60-year-old physical education teachers who's hanging in there because he couldn't do anything else, I don't think that's good for the kids,'' he said.
While he was waiting to hear back from the police force, an opportunity arose to work as a funeral director in Mosgiel, at Campbell & Sons funeral services.
''I grew up with Clark [Campbell] and the boys - Clark's brother was best man at my wedding,'' he said.
And once he started funeral directing, Mr Bisset found he ''really enjoyed it''.
Now, Mr Bisset has graduated at the top of his class in funeral directing, and has a blown glass trophy to show for it.
The course at the Wellington Institute of Technology took place over three blocks of two weeks apiece.
There were 14 other students, some of whom had been working as funeral directors for over two decades, Mr Bisset said.
Still, he managed to come out on top, with less than two years of experience in the industry.
''A lot of people in the industry aren't tertiary-qualified - I've been to university and teacher's college,'' he said.
''I wouldn't necessarily say I could arrange a funeral better than [the other students].''
Still, he said, ''for someone who's been in the industry for such a short period of time ...''
He trailed off, then smiled, reluctant to call his newfound success in funeral directing an impressive feat.
